Before starting the naturopathic and chiropractic medicine programs at NUHS, I was initially a pre-med major preparing to become a traditional medical doctor. At the time, I wasn't sure I wanted to work in a hospital setting or if I liked the largely drug-based practice style that a lot of doctors had.

In practice, the concept of chiropractic care for children is not new; however, it may be a new concept for many adults. Why would children need chiropractic care, you may ask? Chiropractic physicians (DCs) offer techniques and treatments that pediatricians do not. In many instances, DCs can offer less invasive options first, before referring patients to prescriptions and surgery.

The central nervous system controls everything. The birth process itself can be physically traumatic, and for some infants, receiving adjustment can offer neurological input or correction from the start, allowing a healthy developmental process to unfold. Later, as young athletes develop, recovering from injuries sustained by participating in sports may be treated with less traumatic chiropractic solutions, rather than more disruptive therapies such as pharmaceuticals or surgery.

Because chiropractic medicine takes into account the entire person, when there is a correction in one area, it can help support and correct another area. Depending on which DC you choose, many incorporate other techniques and specialties such as acupuncture, craniosacral, nutrition and more.

Here are 4 ways chiropractic medicine can benefit children.

I am often asked by prospective students why they should choose National University's Doctor of Chiropractic medicine program over other chiropractic educational institutions. My answer has evolved through the years, but I do not waiver in believing NUHS is the best education available.

During school, I would have answered the question based off the culture of the school and classes I had maneuvered through. Immediately after school, I would have answered by focusing on the rigor of the overall education. But now, as a few years have passed, and I have been able to compare my knowledge base to my colleagues, I value other parts of my education.

Here are the fundamental parts of my education that make me most proud of being a National University of Health Sciences graduate:

It’s said that “hindsight is 20/20”. While this may be applied to many areas of life, if you are considering a medical career or are currently a medical student, learning what professionals already working in the field would do differently may not just save you time, but also valuable financial resources.

Read on to learn what practicing chiropractic physician, Alex Tauberg, a successful 2016 National University alumnus, has to say about the things he would go back and change if he could while he was still a student working towards becoming a chiropractic physician.

Today’s young athletes work harder, longer hours, and push through injury more than ever before.

Traveling sports start at a younger age, which usually means more practices per week and tournaments multiple weekends per month. Tee ball starts by age 4. Travel baseball and football begins by age 8. Kids committing to one sport, also called specializing, is seen by middle school.

Often times, lay people are shocked to hear what the education of a chiropractic physician looks like. The rigor, length, detail, and difficulty of education is expected for medical doctors, but often a surprise to many when discussing chiropractic education. For instance, like medical doctors, chiropractic physicians are responsible for the health of their patients.

If you're interested in learning more about how to become a chiropractor, you must understand that the path to becoming a chiropractic physician must be rigorous and demanding in order to ensure the safety and health of chiropractic patients.

Are you considering becoming a chiropractic physician? We, at National University of Health Sciences, know that preparing for a career in medicine can be challenging. That is why we offer many opportunities for prospective students to visit the campus and learn about our programs.

Chiropractic medicine is a form of integrative medicine that focuses on natural, non-invasive, evidence-informed practices of disease prevention and health promotion. Through a broad scope of assessment and treatment modalities such as manipulation, functional medicine, physical rehabilitation therapy, targeted nutritional and botanical treatment, acupuncture, and diet/lifestyle management, chiropractic medicine can effectively treat a wide range of conditions and improve overall health.

Over the last few decades, chiropractic medicine has become more widely accepted by the conventional medical community. Unfortunately, there are still a number of myths about chiropractic medicine that affect the public’s view of chiropractic care.

Chiropractic care is one of many forms of natural health care, specifically a non-invasive, drug-free alternative that can help patients find relief from a variety of musculoskeletal issues. Athletes in particular, can greatly benefit from chiropractic treatments both before and after they practice and perform.

Professional sports leagues including Major League Baseball (MLB) along with the National Football League (NFL) have recognized these benefits for years, with most teams employing their own official sports chiropractor. National University of Health Sciences (NUHS) graduates Marc Legere, DC, and Randy Cybulski, DC, (who himself was an NFL player earlier) have also treated these professional athletes in private practice.

If you are considering pursuing a path towards becoming a chiropractor, National University’s Florida site offers a unique campus visit experience. Hands-on, interactive activities and real-life scenarios are designed to let you experience life as a National University student.